There are many FF/APS-H sensor makers available.. it's about getting an order placed and contract hammered out. Sony/Fuji/Kodak being the big three.. Especially an APS-H camera.. I see NO reason it can't be done on the cheap.. it's far cheaper than FF sensor and a great boost in sensor size from APS-C.
A high end APS-C camera when released is about $1400-$1600.. so if Pentax threw down an APS-H sensor camera out there between the say $1600-$2000 mark.. gaining IQ and low light abilities over APS-C.. there would definitely be a market for it. FF would be even better.. but realistic pricing says that camera would be $2500-$3000 like the rest of the field.. just because.

I'm probably in the minority, but I dream of mirrorless FF. Make it about the size of the Fuji X 1 Pro, sell it with the Holy Full-Frame Trinity (FA 31, 43, and 77 Limiteds) for $3500. I'll pre-order today.

I'm probably in the minority, but I dream of mirrorless FF. Make it about the size of the Fuji X 1 Pro, sell it with the Holy Full-Frame Trinity (FA 31, 43, and 77 Limiteds) for $3500. I'll pre-order today.

The Prices are only high, because Nikon and Canon only REALLY have to compete with each other... If Pentax dropped a bomb in the middle of it all.. a FF or APS-H sensored camera.. say with all the guts of the K-01 or even K-5.. even if the body had to be another centimeter wider + taller to accommodate.. it could probably hit the market at about $1600-$1800 tops.. Pentax's only problem doing this would be keeping up with demand.

And who supplies the FF sensor?

Sony?

The same company whose customer Nikon buys 100% of their FF sensors now, and has a hand in designing them?

You think Sony will let Pentax drop the high margins on the FF camera market to make Sony's best customer angry?

Not going to happen.

Originally posted by SteveM

If Pentax developed it's own FF sensor....which is unlikely. It would be nice though.

There are many FF/APS-H sensor makers available.. it's about getting an order placed and contract hammered out. Sony/Fuji/Kodak being the big three.. Especially an APS-H camera.. I see NO reason it can't be done on the cheap.. it's far cheaper than FF sensor and a great boost in sensor size from APS-C.

APS-H is a dead horse. Doesn't ride.

Only Sony makes FF. Kodak sold its sensor manufacturing unit to a venture capital firm who are breaking it up.

It was CCD only which draws too much power and doesn't do video. It cannot compete The 645D sensor comes from this plant and costs about 35%of the price of the camera alone.

Fuji doesn't do FF. Maybe they would but they'd need to see some serious capita up front from Ricoh and that will take years to put together.

Sensor supply a this level is NOT about just sourcing the produce from a variety of third parties. Way more complicated than that, I'm afraid.